tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81871137678391210372024-03-13T17:32:05.346-07:00Adventures in WeddinglandThrough the looking glass, into the dazzling, confusing world of planning your own wedding (for $10,000 or less!)and making new rules up as you go along!Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-85889425465554190972008-04-30T14:49:00.000-07:002008-04-30T14:56:16.484-07:00<span style="font-size:85%;">Okay, so I've been a little absent lately! Sorry, but I have been <span style="font-weight: bold;">B-U-S-Y</span>!<br /><br />Seriously. In the last 10 days I;<br /></span><ol><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Got married at the courthouse</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Filed for my official "Adjustment Of Status" to Lawful Permanent resident (AKA Green Card)</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Bought a house</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Became an Aunt for the first time, Miss Ayla Sierra was born on April 27th!<br /></span></li></ol><span style="font-size:85%;">I am not kidding! Busy fun-filled-ness!!<br /><br />I think this pic totally sums up life at the moment</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://elseachelsea.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/28/le_happy_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://elseachelsea.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/04/28/le_happy_2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Promise to be back to regular posting now!</span><br /><br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-31296993918247547132008-04-17T08:56:00.001-07:002008-04-17T09:05:34.091-07:00Civil ceremony<span style="font-family: georgia;font-size:85%;" >So, we are getting married tomorrow! Well, officially anyway...<br /><br />We have spent the last 8 months negotiating the frustrating world of US Immigration, and now have to finalise the marriage so they don't turn around and kick the free-loading Aussie (that would be me) back out on her proverbial arse. I would really have preferred that the day we have the big ceremony & party in October to be the official wedding date, (we have decided that we will celebrate that date as our anniversary) but that is really the tiny romantic part of me talking. It really doesn't matter.<br /><br />We will be exchanging rings - however this is at Brent's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">insistence</span>. He thinks the clerk at the courthouse will think we are "fishy" and ONLY getting married for immigration purposes if we don't exchange rings! He's funny ;) So we went to the flea market on the weekend and picked up a couple of plain silver wedding bands to exchange temporarily. I honestly don't want to wear it on my finger (first of all it doesn't match my engagement ring at ALL!) so I may wear it on a chain.<br /><br />Hmmm...now what to wear?!<br /></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-75513367686333311502008-04-06T15:37:00.000-07:002008-04-06T15:46:32.518-07:00Aisles<span style="font-size:85%;">Whilst shopping online for Shepherds hooks to make my aisle look like this:<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">(yes, apparently this is what these metal post-y things are called - oh the education I'm getting whilst wedding planning!) </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTSgHG0u3u8DbsOcx_C5FJz6d57kzMumEjiTyzNTvBStXKVCXe_JYwgVOE1PxKLj16jCDoEYremNaMiFTg14XwiSXww5cF8eNpfGZfJcR-4P6_-n103Gueb2GR0E7en4RxpTh_gMYreM/s1600-h/aisleinspiration.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTSgHG0u3u8DbsOcx_C5FJz6d57kzMumEjiTyzNTvBStXKVCXe_JYwgVOE1PxKLj16jCDoEYremNaMiFTg14XwiSXww5cF8eNpfGZfJcR-4P6_-n103Gueb2GR0E7en4RxpTh_gMYreM/s320/aisleinspiration.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186265999788071026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I stumbled over these beauties! How gorgeous would these look lining an aisle for a garden or beach wedding? A little over my decorating budget at $39.95 a piece, but so lovely!<br /><br /></span> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mgBpj0Bu9ljQeZ5VOoTXD6E13PZP-tkwXn9y2F88pRezVs9mSRgaPL0igISO2eY7QRv66Ftwd24fG5i3ZRUVlJpnDL0V9aPfXRWkLrFmWUtKGZrdiwxgS4J-Swz03AhTw9c8XlCu_Hs/s1600-h/glass+aisle.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mgBpj0Bu9ljQeZ5VOoTXD6E13PZP-tkwXn9y2F88pRezVs9mSRgaPL0igISO2eY7QRv66Ftwd24fG5i3ZRUVlJpnDL0V9aPfXRWkLrFmWUtKGZrdiwxgS4J-Swz03AhTw9c8XlCu_Hs/s320/glass+aisle.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186266682687871106" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-87658271542974811802008-03-30T14:40:00.000-07:002008-03-30T15:17:23.619-07:00Invite inspiration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1QVXKtuKsux79FayY5QtPZ1IOysEBOkjkEb6Z-sUf9bnziKxwMnuyXHarFTX5zE3KgsuKadUK8mYiGdWbpjZjmb01qkgtUGPg8mhgD36Fzu5d5MCp6PFzkMeSl2xCZt7wmuffuiXKok/s1600-h/mosaic4279098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw1QVXKtuKsux79FayY5QtPZ1IOysEBOkjkEb6Z-sUf9bnziKxwMnuyXHarFTX5zE3KgsuKadUK8mYiGdWbpjZjmb01qkgtUGPg8mhgD36Fzu5d5MCp6PFzkMeSl2xCZt7wmuffuiXKok/s400/mosaic4279098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183653207973156930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(clockwise from top left: Eco-friendly wedding invitation, <a href="http://vreelanddesign.etsy.com">Vreeland Design</a> ; next two are from <a href="http://michellebrusegaard.etsy.com">Michelle Brusegaard</a>; next one is from <a href="http://fadingflowers.etsy.com">Fading Flowers</a>; <a href="http://weddingpaperdivas.com">Wedding Paper Divas</a>; <a href="http://www.a3designs.com/">A3 Designs</a> invite; <a href="http://pinklily.etsy.com">Pinklily</a> notecards; next two = <a href="http://fubabee.etsy.com">Fubabee</a> notecard & invite; Gocco'ed card by <a href="http://mwilson.etsy.com">Mwilson</a>; unknown notecard; <a href="http://fadingflowers.etsy.com/">Fading Flowers</a> notecard; centre invitiation is from <a href="http://evapaul.etsy.com">Eva Paul</a></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-77657879576484722442008-03-30T10:18:00.000-07:002008-03-30T15:22:18.029-07:00Mother's flowers<span style="font-size:85%;">Now I've switched to carnations....these will be a cinch to put together for my Mum & Future Mother-in-law!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">I never thought I would be one to say this...<br />but Yay for Martha Stewart!!<br /><a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=ccda9b9436d35110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=type_1&autonomy_kw=wrist%20flower"><br />Wrist Corsage How-To</a><br /><br />I love it!!<br /><br />Now to shop for pretty ribbon!<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERQO1KqPdcYal_e8ytpoRmesT1dK724WiqFbCfwbQy-GNtmuC3RMH-siobPpjyXsMPpXDRY4sQkUqablAJVCzLWMYIwj5JWwfHSyalwEnPYuFEhmC5cZAgUXObm3UvC7MPANJVZib3qk/s1600-h/wrist+corsage.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERQO1KqPdcYal_e8ytpoRmesT1dK724WiqFbCfwbQy-GNtmuC3RMH-siobPpjyXsMPpXDRY4sQkUqablAJVCzLWMYIwj5JWwfHSyalwEnPYuFEhmC5cZAgUXObm3UvC7MPANJVZib3qk/s400/wrist+corsage.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183663425700354130" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-16473383163484870452008-03-30T08:23:00.000-07:002008-03-30T08:46:23.779-07:00Flowers, blowing the budget?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mKBXAOyiHcVOH4GBGhZ0SBi-5xd3uPxrMicwn_IOvO0tj6n3V0C8-9lUk2ZzG_HzKUdH5TJCgqpUN70DBUn0b0QdKn1tsiHbj_aCQIbg3dQ9o56da2UgdAL2P_iZxx2ofSlYEovQAH0/s1600-h/calla-40-flame.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mKBXAOyiHcVOH4GBGhZ0SBi-5xd3uPxrMicwn_IOvO0tj6n3V0C8-9lUk2ZzG_HzKUdH5TJCgqpUN70DBUn0b0QdKn1tsiHbj_aCQIbg3dQ9o56da2UgdAL2P_iZxx2ofSlYEovQAH0/s200/calla-40-flame.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183557382957815714" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />I spent some time yesterday pondering my flower situation.<br /><br />I had the Flame callas all chosen, in fact they were the actual decision I made about the wedding, and from them came the orange colour scheme!<br /><br />Well, I started pricing them again (having only taken a less than cursory glance at the price when finding suppliers) and it looks like they will end up costing somewhere between $2.50 and $4.50 a stem! Ouch!!<br /><br />So, I started looking at some floral designers websites to get some alternative orange flower inspiration. What do I then stumble upon...this gorgeous bouquet!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-_59TyczLSoiG1Hm8xojd7OXE68VQH_vkse4NnEsBxniSsseztpMaWcKMz6jYacAytQhUR2cxRNux9veo3BJkoRqIYZ57jIiANISunkiQZgSktF7ooUaf129zqjQaLWQH2IugxujpmA/s1600-h/Carnations.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-_59TyczLSoiG1Hm8xojd7OXE68VQH_vkse4NnEsBxniSsseztpMaWcKMz6jYacAytQhUR2cxRNux9veo3BJkoRqIYZ57jIiANISunkiQZgSktF7ooUaf129zqjQaLWQH2IugxujpmA/s200/Carnations.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183557602001147826" border="0" /></a>It's from <a href="http://www.birchsf.com/">Birch</a> flowers in San Francisco. They do BEAUTIFUL flowers, but this one caught my eye with it's simple chic-ness! And carnations? Well, who knew they could be so gorgeous!<br /><br />Okay, so I'm now on a mission - find orange-y carnations. I was thinking this might be tricky, as the only orange-y carnations I've ever seen are those peach coloured ones they inevitably end up in the bouquet you buy to take to the hospital for a friend to cheer them up... not exactly what I'm going for on my wedding day!<br /><br />But, wait....am I hearing angel choirs?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">So, they are still yellow and red (well, officially the first one is yellow & purple, but certainly looks red to me!), and come in between $0.55 and $0.73 a stem! What a deal!?<br /><br />I swear I will come under budget for this wedding!!! :)</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcXHdc_B1OgsEiRz6Zw-IsI4d82Uftc5KF4CexQgteITZh-E41ZaBBBsidpexu81e4Sql1fC3EKn3dXtyClKdo7BVOgTa8pG4WkuPgkEgzTwrb8wtNv4L1HKFj1RgMGwpc5TYnstGan8/s1600-h/yellow+%26+purple+carnation.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcXHdc_B1OgsEiRz6Zw-IsI4d82Uftc5KF4CexQgteITZh-E41ZaBBBsidpexu81e4Sql1fC3EKn3dXtyClKdo7BVOgTa8pG4WkuPgkEgzTwrb8wtNv4L1HKFj1RgMGwpc5TYnstGan8/s320/yellow+%26+purple+carnation.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183559899808651250" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIcAI73DzgW6g-XfaiG_ey7RFZGyE7qCJI82tmlRLRxi6lCyPUW77KG63kVqrV9Hu2Hq0NPKRx5cI4djcFjjyPBKeJfqtbNXbkMcnc0IDLYKL0RxH6dfRvKgn1WPqnxNjhi8ZoyWvImg/s1600-h/yellow&red+carnation.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIcAI73DzgW6g-XfaiG_ey7RFZGyE7qCJI82tmlRLRxi6lCyPUW77KG63kVqrV9Hu2Hq0NPKRx5cI4djcFjjyPBKeJfqtbNXbkMcnc0IDLYKL0RxH6dfRvKgn1WPqnxNjhi8ZoyWvImg/s320/yellow&red+carnation.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183559968528128002" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-50341984820795430062008-03-22T10:44:00.000-07:002008-03-22T10:46:50.552-07:00Jewellry ideas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.laurenwimmer.com/Images/P_b002_echarm_oryell.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.laurenwimmer.com/Images/P_b002_echarm_oryell.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I am in love with this bracelet - too cute! I may have to find someone on Etsy to make me one like it, as I cannot justify the $150 price tag on something so small :(Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-2229761499657455872008-03-21T20:48:00.000-07:002008-03-30T15:23:30.581-07:00CovetI WANT this fabric! God knows what I'd do with it, as I can't sew...but I LOVE it!! Hrmmm....maybe totes for the BM's?? Ooooooooo!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://jansdotter.com/upload/1205868251596242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://jansdotter.com/upload/1205868251596242.JPG" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />(borrowed from the gorgeous site of <a href="http://jansdotter.com/">Lotta Jansdotter</a>)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-45245688764301302992008-03-21T19:26:00.001-07:002008-03-21T19:35:28.525-07:00Favours...<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakerella/2224040183/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.flickr.com/photos/bakerella/2224040183/" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">So I have been planning for some time that we would incorporate Scrabble into the wedding somehow, and I had come up with making wineglass charms with the guest's initials in Scrabble tiles on them. I love this idea :)<br /><br />However I am DYING to include something like these, lovingly borrowed from my favourite food blog, Bakerella (http://bakerella.blogspot.com/)</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2234161958_d011f53549.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2234161958_d011f53549.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/2224040183_96191f8065_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/2224040183_96191f8065_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />I wonder how long it will take to make a hundred? Mmmmmm...</span><br /></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-15144679204270642522008-03-19T13:25:00.001-07:002008-03-19T13:59:40.219-07:00Today's orang-spiration<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWQwVSqhI2_DPhNedzp8f-3NTih_jA4-YKq-an3LV7klJSkcScvMCIvfoWZol2yUfJZQpno8PVCW2pFM_iN9N9ljUlXb0Y3F8vx4QFfsAfEROROAUdGc18roir3QsOxXsZnwWpSMR3is/s1600-h/mosaic8968923.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWQwVSqhI2_DPhNedzp8f-3NTih_jA4-YKq-an3LV7klJSkcScvMCIvfoWZol2yUfJZQpno8PVCW2pFM_iN9N9ljUlXb0Y3F8vx4QFfsAfEROROAUdGc18roir3QsOxXsZnwWpSMR3is/s320/mosaic8968923.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179559236556674930" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Enzo Angioini - Maylie @ Zappos; Aisle inspiration @The Knot; Martha Stewart weddings;<br />Orange Paper lanterns; Tie front dress @ J.Crew; Flame Callas; Bubble Necklace in 'Sweet Papaya' @ J. Crew; Cake inspiration @ Martha Stewart Weddings; Elum Designer Print @ Papermojo.</span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-27350456656885414802008-03-11T12:52:00.000-07:002008-03-11T12:57:03.801-07:00Readings....We're tossing up two ideas for readings... Dr. Seuss' "Oh! The places you'll go!" and <span style="font-size:-1;">Sandol Stoddard's "I Like You".<br /><br />Thoughts?<br /><br /><br /></span><p align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Oh, the Places You'll Go! </span></strong></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">Congratulations!<br /> Today is your day.<br /> You're off to Great Places!<br /> You're off and away!</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You have brains in your head.<br /> You have feet in your shoes<br /> You can steer yourself<br /> any direction you choose.<br /> You're on your own. And you know what you know.<br /> And YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.<br /> About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."<br /> With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,<br /> you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">And you may not find any<br /> you'll want to go down.<br /> In that case, of course,<br /> you'll head straight out of town.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">It's opener there<br /> in the wide open air.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">Out there things can happen<br /> and frequently do<br /> to people as brainy<br /> and footsy as you.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">And when things start to happen,<br /> don't worry. Don't stew.<br /> Just go right along.<br /> You'll start happening too.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">OH!<br /> THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! </span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You'll be on your way up!<br /> You'll be seeing great sights!<br /> You'll join the high fliers<br /> who soar to high heights.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You won't lag behind, because you'll have the speed.<br /> You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead.<br /> Wherever you fly, you'll be the best of the best.<br /> Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">Except when you don' t<br /> Because, sometimes, you won't.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">I'm sorry to say so<br /> but, sadly, it's true<br /> and Hang-ups<br /> can happen to you.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You can get all hung up<br /> in a prickle-ly perch.<br /> And your gang will fly on.<br /> You'll be left in a Lurch.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You'll come down from the Lurch<br /> with an unpleasant bump.<br /> And the chances are, then,<br /> that you'll be in a Slump.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">And when you're in a Slump,<br /> you're not in for much fun.<br /> Un-slumping yourself<br /> is not easily done.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.<br /> Some windows are lighted. But mostly they're darked.<br /> A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!<br /> Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?<br /> How much can you lose? How much can you win?</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">And IF you go in, should you turn left or right...<br /> or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?<br /> Or go around back and sneak in from behind?<br /> Simple it's not, I'm afraid you will find,<br /> for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You can get so confused<br /> that you'll start in to race<br /> down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace<br /> and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,<br /> headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.<br /> The Waiting Place...</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">...for people just waiting.<br /> Waiting for a train to go<br /> or a bus to come, or a plane to go<br /> or the mail to come, or the rain to go<br /> or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow<br /> or waiting around for a Yes or a No<br /> or waiting for their hair to grow.<br /> Everyone is just waiting.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">Waiting for the fish to bite<br /> or waiting for wind to fly a kite<br /> or waiting around for Friday night<br /> or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake<br /> or a pot to boil, or a Better Break<br /> or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants<br /> or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.<br /> Everyone is just waiting.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">NO!<br /> That's not for you!</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">Somehow you'll escape<br /> all that waiting and staying.<br /> You'll find the bright places<br /> where Boom Bands are playing.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">With banner flip-flapping,<br /> once more you'll ride high!<br /> Ready for anything under the sky.<br /> Ready because you're that kind of a guy!</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done!<br /> There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.<br /> And the magical things you can do with that ball<br /> will make you the winning-est winner of all.<br /> Fame! You'll be famous as famous can be,<br /> with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">Except when they don't.<br /> Because, sometimes, they won't.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">I'm afraid that some times<br /> you'll play lonely games too.<br /> Games you can't win<br /> 'cause you'll play against you.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">All Alone!<br /> Whether you like it or not,<br /> Alone will be something<br /> you'll be quite a lot.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">And when you're alone, there's a very good chance<br /> you'll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.<br /> There are some, down the road between hither and yon,<br /> that can scare you so much you won't want to go on.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">But on you will go<br /> though the weather be foul<br /> On you will go<br /> though your enemies prowl<br /> On you will go<br /> though the Hakken-Kraks howl<br /> Onward up many<br /> a frightening creek,<br /> though your arms may get sore<br /> and your sneakers may leak.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">On and on you will hike<br /> and I know you'll hike far<br /> and face up to your problems<br /> whatever they are.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">You'll get mixed up, of course, <br /> as you already know.<br /> You'll get mixed up<br /> with many strange birds as you go.<br /> So be sure when you step.<br /> Step with care and great tact<br /> and remember that Life's<br /> a Great Balancing Act.<br /> Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.<br /> And never mix up your right foot with your left.</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">And will you succeed?<br /> Yes! You will, indeed!<br /> (98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!</span></p> <p align="center"><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">So...<br /> be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray<br /> or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,<br /> you're off to Great Places!<br /> Today is your day!<br /> Your mountain is waiting.<br /> So...get on your way!</span></p> <p><span style="font-family:Lucida Calligraphy;">---Dr. Seuss</span></p><br /><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"><em>I Like You</em> by Sandol Stoddard</p><p style="text-align: center;"><em>I like you and I know why.<br />I like you because you are a good person to like.<br />I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it's special<br />And you remember it a long, long time.<br />You say, Remember when you told me something special<br />And both of us remember </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>When I think something is important<br />you think it's important too<br />We have good ideas<br />When I say something funny, you laugh<br />I think I'm funny and you think I'm funny too<br />Hah-hah!<br />I like you because you know where I'm ticklish<br />And you don't tickle me there except just a little tiny bit sometimes<br />But if you do, then I know where to tickle you too<br />You know how to be silly<br />That's why I like you<br />Boy are you ever silly<br />I never met anybody sillier than me till I met you<br />I like you because you know when it's time to stop being silly<br />Maybe day after tomorrow<br />Maybe never<br />Too late, it's a quarter past silly<br />Sometimes we don't say a word<br />We snurkle under fences<br />We spy secret places<br />If I am a goofus on the roofus hollering my head off<br />You are one too<br />If I pretend I am drowning, you pretend you are saving me<br />If I am getting ready to pop a paper bag,<br />then you are getting ready to jump<br />HOORAY </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>That's because you really like me<br />You really like me, don't you<br />And I really like you back<br />And you like me back and I like you back<br />And that's the way we keep on going every day </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>If you go away, then I go away too<br />or if I stay home, you send me a postcard<br />You don't just say Well see you around sometime, bye<br />I like you a lot because of that<br />If I go away, I send you a postcard too<br />And I like you because if we go away together<br />And if we are in Grand Central Station<br />And if I get lost<br />Then you are the one that is yelling for me </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>And I like you because when I am feeling sad<br />You don't always cheer me up right away<br />Sometimes it is better to be sad<br />You can't stand the others being so googly and gaggly every single minute<br />You want to think about things<br />It takes time </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>I like you because if I am mad at you<br />Then you are mad at me too<br />It's awful when the other person isn't<br />They are so nice and hoo-hoo you could just about punch them in the nose </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>I like you because if I think I am going to throw up<br />then you are really sorry<br />You don't just pretend you are busy looking at the birdies and all that<br />You say, maybe it was something you ate<br />You say, the same thing happened to me one time<br />And the same thing did </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>If you find two four-leaf clovers, you give me one<br />If I find four, I give you two<br />If we only find three, we keep on looking<br />Sometimes we have good luck, and sometimes we don't </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>If I break my arm, and if you break your arm too<br />Then it's fun to have a broken arm<br />I tell you about mine, you tell me about yours<br />We are both sorry<br />We write our names and draw pictures<br />We show everybody and they wish they had a broken arm too </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>I like you because I don't know why but<br />Everything that happens is nicer with you<br />I can't remember when I didn't like you<br />It must have been lonesome then </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>I like you because because because<br />I forget why I like you but I do<br />So many reasons<br />On the 4th of July I like you because it's the 4th of July<br />On the fifth of July, I like you too<br />If you and I had some drums and some horns and some horses<br />If we had some hats and some flags and some fire engines<br />We could be a HOLIDAY<br />We could be a CELEBRATION<br />We could be a WHOLE PARADE<br />See what I mean? </em></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <em>Even if it was the 999th of July<br />Even if it was August<br />Even if it was way down at the bottom of November<br />Even if it was no place particular in January<br />I would go on choosing you<br />And you would go on choosing me<br />Over and over again<br />That's how it would happen every time<br />I don't know why<br />I guess I don't know why I really like you<br />Why do I like you<br />I guess I just like you<br />I guess I just like you because I like you.</em> </p>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-53713480341128527952008-03-08T15:14:00.001-08:002008-03-19T13:05:51.693-07:00Day of wedding co-ordinator<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Ok, I think I am almost as far away from the scary Style Network "Bridezilla" as you can possibly get. That being said, however, I am a little (ok, a LOT) nervous about having to co-ordinate all of the little details of the day, on the day.<br /><br />I was never in the market for someone to do all the planning for me, no, I am having way too much fun doing it all myself! But, I would like to hand off the reins to someone else on the day, and have all my fabulous plans orchestrated by someone else! I know I have many, many hands I can delegate to on the day, but I really want everyone to be able to sit back and enjoy it with me - not be running around putting up chuppah's and arranging centrepieces :)<br /><br />So, I shopped around a lot, and was horrified to find that some co-ordinators were charging upwards of US$1500.oo for the day of ONLY! Eek! Talk about totally blowing my budget out of the water! But after some serious searching I found Justine Rojas. She seems to be the answer to my prayers (well, if I prayed anyways...)!<br /><br />Here is what she includes in her US$450.00 fee:<br /><br /></span></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Unlimited meetings and email/phone contact prior to wedding, as requested by bride. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Gathering and reviewing all your vendor contracts. Assuming responsibility for all vendor contact as requested per bride. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">Assisting with suggesting vendors, details and keeping up with brides personal checklist to ensure all is done. Calling all vendors to confirm details and times of arrival/delivery. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Designing floor plan layouts if necessary. Creating a detailed time-line of entire wedding day schedule for bride and bridal party. (as prepared by bride and consultant) </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Organizing the processional and recessional. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Rehearsal Coordination. If Justine Rojas is not available for a particular date, wedding responsibility cards will be handed out to bridal party, this does not constitute a reduction in price. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Assuming responsibility for all vendor contact for 1 week leading up to wedding day. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Wedding Day Coordination: </span></span></li></ul><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">o Meet w/ bride to review last-minute direction, questions, or concerns.<br />o Greet vendors upon arrival and receive deliveries . o Assist wedding party, family members, guests as needed .<br />o Ensure all vendors are doing their job according to contracts. Ensure set up is desired by the bride and groom.<br />o Light candles, place all party favors, assist in decorating if reception is not in charge of doing so.<br />o Gather anything remaining at the end of the night such as gifts, cake servers and toasting glasses, unless otherwise instructed by the bride.<br />o Ensure that everything at the venue is cleaned according to the contract; However, Justine Rojas will not be responsible for cleaning the reception hall, even if prior arrangements had not been scheduled by the bride.<br />o Provide 1 assistant coordinator if necessary.<br />o Distribute final payments and tips to vendors on behalf of couple.<br /><br />So I think I am getting a great deal (I believe my sanity is worth the cost!).<br /><br />Here is her blog if you want to check her out:<br />http://fabulousfetes.blogspot.com/</span><br /></span></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-51597787156849394422008-03-08T15:12:00.001-08:002008-03-19T13:05:13.246-07:00Photographer...done!<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">So we finally decided on a photographer!<br /><br />Her name is Chelsey Boatwright and she is great. She came in with the best quote, and the most "us" style out of the photgraphers we looked at. Here is a sneak peek of her style (copyrights all back to Chelsey of course - in case anyone but my friends and family stumble across my blog!)<br /><br /><img src="http://chelseyboatwright.squarespace.com/storage/uploaded-file-76755" /><br /><img src="http://chelseyboatwright.squarespace.com/storage/formals315.jpg" /><br /><br />Here is a link to her website and her blog if you want a look at her stuff:<br /><br /></span>http://coconutprints.com<br />http://chelseyboatwright.squarespace.com/<br /><br />I am so happy with our choice! I also came in US$1100.oo </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >UNDER</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> budget, THANKYOU! I can now afford that Day-of-Coordinator I have been so despera</span>tely wanting! :)Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-50080395087690812412008-03-08T14:45:00.000-08:002008-03-08T16:14:37.487-08:00249 days out!<span style="font-size:100%;">Oops, missed the 250! (well it was the weekend after all!)<br /><br />Bridesmaids colour scheme (better version!)<br /><br /><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001p6k8/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001p6k8/s320x240" border="0" height="240" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Clockwise from top left: Flowers will be "Flame" Calla lillies; my hairpiece/fascinator made by Myra Kim (myrakim.etsy.com); my current design inspiration for my save the dates; my dress, by J.Crew :)<br /><br /><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001et2z/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001et2z/s320x240" border="0" height="240" width="237" /></a><br /><br />Clockwise from top left: the kind of shirts the guys will wear - Cuban Guayaberas; The ceremony location on Dania Beach, FL; My thank you cards which I DIY'd with my trusty Gocco screening gizmo; The reception venue, Beach Watch restaurant on Dania Pier;<br /><br /><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001hxh8/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001hxh8/s320x240" border="0" height="240" width="240" /></a><br /><br />We aren't having the traditional "sit-down" dinner, we are having passed hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, a salad station and a cheese station. Dessert will be cake...mmmm :)<br /><br />Clockwise from top left: Our aisle will be marked with smaller versions of these orange paper lanterns, hanging from the hooks in the pic directly below. They will also decorate the reception venue - bang for buck!! Our guests will sit on picnic blankets on either side of the aisle; Still deciding on cake design, although thanks to <lj user="morgan_la_rue"> I hopefully have found a baker!<br /><br /><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001ke0a/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001ke0a/s320x240" border="0" height="240" width="240" /></a><br /><br />Shoe shortlist:<br /><br /><a href="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001g823/"><img src="http://pics.livejournal.com/jonesnessl/pic/0001g823/s320x240" border="0" height="240" width="240" /></a><br /><br />My wedding band - my engagement ring will move to my right hand after the wedding day. Still to be purchased from Shade Jewelry (ShadeJewelry.etsy.com)<br /><br /><img src="http://images.etsy.com/all_images/e/efc/213/il_430xN.17484404.jpg" /><br /><br />Decided, but no pics:<br />- Favours = wine glass charms with recycled Scrabble tiles with the owners initial on them - Scrabble is sort of a sub theme - my FH proposed on a Scrabble board!<br /><br /></lj><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ20i4a0KHC3bCeXF30CIIJwoymq2NkJrAGJqD0pf9g3i7l1VcD8IEopvkxE5YH_RfT8F3X5T_pfoSNAShyphenhyphenlKQZopQoATykmuZyyORWHIUCx99oKlEBOLO3I3sjHUq4ZUZGorAi9LX7pY/s1600-h/v-8-31-07--002_edited.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ20i4a0KHC3bCeXF30CIIJwoymq2NkJrAGJqD0pf9g3i7l1VcD8IEopvkxE5YH_RfT8F3X5T_pfoSNAShyphenhyphenlKQZopQoATykmuZyyORWHIUCx99oKlEBOLO3I3sjHUq4ZUZGorAi9LX7pY/s320/v-8-31-07--002_edited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175505924159369810" border="0" /></a><lj user="morgan_la_rue">Still to do:<br />- Invites, I think they will just be a larger version of the STDs...<br />- Pick a photographer; I just have one more to meet and I think they'll be the one!<br />- Hotel block for Out of Towners<br />- Music - no clue ! Will use an iPod and have a friend to control it, but no idea of what to play yet!<br />- Plan rehearsal dinner with FMIL<br />- Honeymoon<br />- Find make up artist/hair person<br />- Find Tailor/Alteration person to take the dress in (it's a little big)<br /><br />Phew!! I'm tired now !! :)</lj></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-83430886260344031522008-03-08T14:41:00.000-08:002008-03-08T14:43:29.299-08:00The dress!None of me in it yet, but we'll get to it!<br /><br />My stunner here came from J.Crew and priced out at hust over $300 with tax and shipping (bought online). I am in love!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1ccXFhc4DgE/R6IYoTMBa2I/AAAAAAAAABw/JzW8lHn2iYs/s1600-h/the+dress.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1ccXFhc4DgE/R6IYoTMBa2I/AAAAAAAAABw/JzW8lHn2iYs/s200/the+dress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161715203544542050" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-23215077580546923132008-03-08T14:28:00.000-08:002008-03-08T14:35:26.317-08:00FlowersApparently I'm supposed to have lots of flowers at my wedding...it's tradition after all!<br /><br />Well, we're not.<br /><br />One type of flower only. "Flame" Calla Lillies.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJEhPcnYPspSKEglwBGXlmDAP49X5yikB2TCI-pTQrwbbaSrQTsjey9DeWDEMoru25AnnwsoZ9MsrrxBVdeI_LZ_STGgsezJW76DJwMWHR3lsOKslDe189lStk8WTdeqJ7rVd_w4O2s4/s1600-h/calla-40-flame.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRJEhPcnYPspSKEglwBGXlmDAP49X5yikB2TCI-pTQrwbbaSrQTsjey9DeWDEMoru25AnnwsoZ9MsrrxBVdeI_LZ_STGgsezJW76DJwMWHR3lsOKslDe189lStk8WTdeqJ7rVd_w4O2s4/s320/calla-40-flame.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175502539725140546" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwKo9UeBG7fYnDcCsKXwRdSj5AolajwL2s5DouaRCPtL_Ex95AktFdgeAYwit0t8-iA-sTocDinwofwMJdW0F6LiFUzWF-VcbjeIZvS4WpuYJfwvkaPgvRY49jdyD_nlmjhLpGy52ik/s1600-h/callalilyflowersorange.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptwKo9UeBG7fYnDcCsKXwRdSj5AolajwL2s5DouaRCPtL_Ex95AktFdgeAYwit0t8-iA-sTocDinwofwMJdW0F6LiFUzWF-VcbjeIZvS4WpuYJfwvkaPgvRY49jdyD_nlmjhLpGy52ik/s320/callalilyflowersorange.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5175502410876121650" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I love them, and have found them for very reasonable prices through a flower wholesaler :)<br /><br />They are also dictating the colour of the bridesmaids/bridesman's outfits, inspiation board coming :)Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-6180271941113263262008-03-08T14:25:00.001-08:002008-03-08T14:25:31.943-08:00Offbeat bride<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I consider us pretty "offbeat" and more so lately.<br /><br />I have been looking at website after website (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">i'm</span> talking THOUSANDS!) dedicated to weddings, and really, I'm just so tired of having the world dictate what I "must do" regarding our wedding.<br /><br />Neither Brent or I are particularly religious, despite his growing up in a Jewish household and my attending a Church of England school, we fairly much sit firmly near the agnostic/atheist belief border. Also, as we will already have had a civil ceremony to satisfy those evil f*^$<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ers</span> at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">USCIS</span> (United States Customs & Immigration Service), we will not actually be "getting married" on our wedding day. What I am finding cool about this, is that we can have ANYONE "marry" us. This is also the uncool thing. Too many choices. The wedding magazines say I <span style="font-style: italic;">should</span> have an officiant. I disagree. Shouldn't I have someone who means something to us do the honours? I just need to think who would do the best job... any votes??<br /><br />By-the-by, I am currently reading "Off Beat Bride 'Taffeta-Free Alternatives for Independent Brides'". It's a great book that is working hard to remind me that all that's important is that the wedding is ours. Keep it as authentic to the two of us as possible. We plan on it :)<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHNAbxkM6KKK0ONVBmDI9HRIZwbLZeh7VaHByr4wprkHYibZrZqp4egDkjSCnH46zNbw8cG1ZxAF0BCLTbJ_oM7LyTXQn4Q4ANeav87npfoCMYLOuTjMpc6dIcKsd-F388UPVpTZXjjGW/s1600-h/OBB.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHNAbxkM6KKK0ONVBmDI9HRIZwbLZeh7VaHByr4wprkHYibZrZqp4egDkjSCnH46zNbw8cG1ZxAF0BCLTbJ_oM7LyTXQn4Q4ANeav87npfoCMYLOuTjMpc6dIcKsd-F388UPVpTZXjjGW/s320/OBB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156211515980078098" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-26964796249926462012008-03-08T14:23:00.001-08:002008-03-08T14:23:58.553-08:00Thank you's<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >My trusty Gocco strikes again :)<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a style="font-family: georgia;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCQFFxew__ZIW7Lfe-PHmNtNgrzp0tO3cMN59pET7nMrRD7ah0Bf9bab4vEVQoarFSJ_88v3KRz1tLpAZNaLlc8BtbnBTMtggnbTuVw3mvUykaqCwdHVtkmPNOsHgT5B-P3z6JvoHxyQl/s1600-h/IMGP2976.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTCQFFxew__ZIW7Lfe-PHmNtNgrzp0tO3cMN59pET7nMrRD7ah0Bf9bab4vEVQoarFSJ_88v3KRz1tLpAZNaLlc8BtbnBTMtggnbTuVw3mvUykaqCwdHVtkmPNOsHgT5B-P3z6JvoHxyQl/s320/IMGP2976.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5156202926045486082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;">Okay, so the photo is not fabulous, but you get the idea. </span></span>We had started to get engagement gifts, so needed to do the proper thing and send out "thank you" cards.<br /><br />It's so much more rewarding to do these myself! Wedding stationery is really obnoxiously expensive.<br /><br />Mary (my roommate) had a friend of hers, Sarah, around on Sunday afternoon to bounce around ideas for Sarah and her fiance Jake's wedding. They aren't getting married until March 2009 - boy is she leaving me in the dust organisation-wise! Anyway, I showed her the invites and the cards I did on my Gocco and she flipped for them! She may want me to do hers for her too :) Maybe I can have a lucrative side business?<br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-21810655146124335752008-03-08T14:20:00.001-08:002008-03-19T13:04:30.971-07:00Location, location, locationSo, our original plan was a stroke of genius on my part...well I thought so!!<br /><br />We had hoped to keep the wedding to about 75 people max. My amazing idea was that seeing we had a lot of out of towners coming to the wedding, and that we really wanted to keep it pretty laid back and casual (so very <span style="font-style: italic;">us</span>!) we would look at renting a house for the week surrounding the wedding. Prerequisites for the house were:<br /><br />1. On or very close to the beach<br />2. Large outdoor space for cocktails/h'ordeuvres after the ceremony<br />3. Enough space to sleep at least 10-12 family and friends for the week<br /><br />I really thought this was genius. There are so many amazing houses in South Florida that aren't occupied in Off Season (May - Nov) and I really thought it would be great to have a "wedding HQ" so to speak - location for the rehearsal dinner, somewhere for the girls to get ready, somewhere for the day after brunch, and a few days of R&R by a pool after the insanity. Brilliant right? Yeah, right...<br /><br />Turns out we have about 140 people on the list at the moment...of course there ARE people on the list who will not come to FL for the event, they'll either wait for the Australia wedding, or send apologies. However, I can't bank on that, and really I can't imagine more than 20 people declining at this stage. So, we looked at much larger houses - and yes they do exist, however spending $8-12,000 for a week on the location...I don't think so!<br /><br />I also had a brilliant idea for the catering which was not to be...using the local culinary schools! They all have to complete a certain number of practical credits in order to graduate, and you can often get chefs, servers etc for the cost of the food/beverages + tip. Would have been sweet ;)<br /><br />Never mind. New idea time.<br /><br />We still wanted to do the ceremony on the beach, and have a casual reception afterwards AND neither of us wanted the hotel type wedding reception. So. Casual, but nice restaurants on the water seemed like a good option. The problem was, this looked set to blow our budget completely out of the water. Restaurants that were asking a minimum of $70 a head for appetisers! And that would not even include the bar! OUCH...<br /><br />But as chance would have it, I lucked out. Here is our perfect wedding location:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8hE_ek2tYNIH12wc0aORc-fS06jlBa2g_i-T055XMpTThmQFPsEcm9Mt_vJrLDiATe1iD3YBpngXqKDRdhYiyjKB3fyqGdpVbDkNPMJvrrm_IYve0wYLmKgwu1n4zGTQWW_FhmudOOEy/s1600-h/IMGP2770.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8hE_ek2tYNIH12wc0aORc-fS06jlBa2g_i-T055XMpTThmQFPsEcm9Mt_vJrLDiATe1iD3YBpngXqKDRdhYiyjKB3fyqGdpVbDkNPMJvrrm_IYve0wYLmKgwu1n4zGTQWW_FhmudOOEy/s320/IMGP2770.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150239999610149842" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbynh72tXgNfSbYl3XCj_sAtp6B-iIZS6pnDLTzRpeF-H0nYdSa1fokcEGK5t1WkgrEiJtBnPS9Cw-0mcdSAvfsh-cj8ccfogkdLue11mw4F73pbS0rcwdc8XWpLrUUOoquqNOQ7nvDlE8/s1600-h/IMGP2772.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbynh72tXgNfSbYl3XCj_sAtp6B-iIZS6pnDLTzRpeF-H0nYdSa1fokcEGK5t1WkgrEiJtBnPS9Cw-0mcdSAvfsh-cj8ccfogkdLue11mw4F73pbS0rcwdc8XWpLrUUOoquqNOQ7nvDlE8/s320/IMGP2772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150240381862239202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q5pB8EjDStyWKQ-DMOPvWLH9RpSZ4Z9WeWwnraC_uMzl-MTjogoDYoZqNzeIc6unAEpE7uhxyS-aL5PRYZzMQ6yWAGBGcuLW8ZKMtSMM4Uw_dP9dutaWkCzg6bo-8LxZpnCxIqV0Sano/s1600-h/IMGP2774.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1q5pB8EjDStyWKQ-DMOPvWLH9RpSZ4Z9WeWwnraC_uMzl-MTjogoDYoZqNzeIc6unAEpE7uhxyS-aL5PRYZzMQ6yWAGBGcuLW8ZKMtSMM4Uw_dP9dutaWkCzg6bo-8LxZpnCxIqV0Sano/s320/IMGP2774.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150240622380407794" border="0" /></a>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-66878698939720894492008-03-08T13:51:00.001-08:002008-03-08T14:07:27.087-08:00<span style=";font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:georgia;">Vanessa turned DIY? ....no-one will ever believe it, but it's true!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Unable to swallow spending insane amounts of money on purchased announcements, save-the- dates, invites, thank you cards (all in all it seems these can and do run well into the hundreds, if not thousands of dollars!), i bought a Gocco. A Gocco you say?!?! Pray tell!<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">WELL!</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /><br />My Gocco PG-5 is a screen printing set! Made in Japan, this wonderful gizmo flash prints a copy of any image you place in it onto a mesh screen, ready for you to print cards, t-shirts or really anything you can think of! Wonderful! It cost only $100 + $35 shipping from JP, and once our save the dates have gone out, will have probably paid for itself twice over. Seeing I'm not working now, it feels like i'm doing something productive. This is how our engagement party invites came out:</span><br /><br /></span><span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" ><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TrI60gjuWa8f1-cBEFcK6COile4PF1N8jHrL5vhTZhqhEiJMyL6Ie8ma6szKPdFi8NMXl9vofNU5XOjOoaOYXhOKwRRUel8z8J2nYj6LWBDlauO-0Sgv87e2_Db7n9Xr4ugBmiDoPRUN/s1600-h/ENGAGEMENT+INVITE+1+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TrI60gjuWa8f1-cBEFcK6COile4PF1N8jHrL5vhTZhqhEiJMyL6Ie8ma6szKPdFi8NMXl9vofNU5XOjOoaOYXhOKwRRUel8z8J2nYj6LWBDlauO-0Sgv87e2_Db7n9Xr4ugBmiDoPRUN/s320/ENGAGEMENT+INVITE+1+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140980799805670066" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Pretty darn good for a first try!<br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />As far as the wedding itself goes, we have all but abandoned our original plan of renting a private home for the reception...it is turning out to be very difficult to locate a house that is<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >a) big enough for the 100+ guests</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />b) reasonably priced</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br />c) easy to cater at</span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" ><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: georgia;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >So, we are now looking at some of the more casual beachfront/waterfront restaurants in Palm Beach/ Broward county instead. We are going to look at a venue in Dania Beach on Saturday...it looks great...here's hoping!</span><br /></span>Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8187113767839121037.post-6518793029027928422008-03-08T13:50:00.001-08:002008-03-08T14:10:21.855-08:00Let the wedding planning begin!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxK8Zfh0aVf9P_HkTxs21idTyPldcwou0DJH4oBUA73u3Po5tEUFLQpN6WBMnpLbe042zIx7thLAgRoFOuOqonzoF3uUd6-at9oS52_vmXe-g-Lb1sS5OBYk8y5cWaRhU9RMtdYKkk11S/s1600-h/bv-8-31-07--01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxK8Zfh0aVf9P_HkTxs21idTyPldcwou0DJH4oBUA73u3Po5tEUFLQpN6WBMnpLbe042zIx7thLAgRoFOuOqonzoF3uUd6-at9oS52_vmXe-g-Lb1sS5OBYk8y5cWaRhU9RMtdYKkk11S/s320/bv-8-31-07--01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132377520013479586" border="0" /></a><br />Weddings are crazy, somewhat uncontrollable beasts. I m beginning to realise this.<br /><br />I thought that it was basic party planning, of which I have much experience. But, Oh NO! This is it's own beast, all consuming and turning even the most down to earth, sane couple into maniacs.<br /><br />I have to document this. If only to look back once we're done, and agree that, "yes honey, you were right, no one noticed that the flowers and the invites were not the EXACT same shade of orange..."<br /><br />N.B. I am back posting these (up till March 8th) from my other blog - I want to have people other than my family read this one, as there's some things, like dress pics etc, I want to blog, but not show the attendees before the big day!Vanessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16407116366317027983noreply@blogger.com0